Grant Writer

Job Description

Job Description

After School Matters is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization that annually offers after-school and summer programs to nearly 19,000 Chicago high school teens to explore and develop their talents while gaining critical skills that will set them up for success in college and beyond.

Thirty years later, After School Matters has engaged more than 400,000 Chicago teens and is the nation’s largest and most successful provider of after-school and summer programs for high school teens.

No other organization offers programs to high school students at the scale and quality that we do.

We offer paid apprenticeships led by professionals in the fields of arts, communications and leadership, sports, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).

Our nationally respected youth development model has been replicated in cities across the country and earned us the City Livability Award from the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

Programs take place at community locations throughout the city, including three ASM buildings : downtown at Gallery 37 Center for the Arts, the Michael and Karyn Lutz Center in Belmont Cragin, and the Pullman community at Gately Park.

Currently, After School Matters’ annual operating budget is approximately $35M and employs approximately 500 across the organization.

For more information, visit www.afterschoolmatters.org.

Summary of Position :

As a key member of the After School Matters Development Team, the Grant Writer is responsible for supporting the organization’s fundraising goals by carrying out all grants processes including, but not limited to, researching and identifying new prospective donors, writing grant proposals and reports, and cultivating positive relationships with funders.

This is a great opportunity for an individual with great attention to detail, a passion for persuasive writing and an interest in advancing the work and mission of After School Matters.

Major Duties and Responsibilities :

• Research, identify and cultivate new funding and grant opportunities from local, regional, and national foundations, as well as corporate foundations.
• Write and edit clear, accurate, and persuasive letters of intent, grant proposals, and reports that are tailored to each funder’s focus areas, mission, specifications, and deadlines;

collaborate with the Institutional Giving Manager and other Development staff as thought partners.

• Collaborate with various departments to request supporting information and documentation, such as program budgets and evaluation metrics, and translate that information in a way that will persuade the donor.
• Work with designated program staff to set expectations for funding allocated to programs, understand program developments, and update proposals and reports accordingly.
• Frequently review youth development research and include relevant facts and statistics to craft compelling and current issue statements.
• Update and maintain team’s grants tracker with all submission deadlines.
• Assist with the updating and maintenance of donor information in the donor database to ensure records are accurate and up to date.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with funding partners via phone, email and / or mail communications.
• Assist the Development Team with events, including volunteer workshops, Sneaker Ball, and the Annual Gala.
• Support the overall strategic efforts of the Development Team.
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands :

The physical demands here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must be able to work at a computer for long periods of time.

Work Environment :

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is not exposed to weather conditions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• The Grant Writer will be required to work nights and weekends when necessary for donor cultivation events including Gala, Sneaker Ball, corporate workshops, Board events, and others.

Typically, 4-6 nights per quarter and 2 weekends per year, though these are subject to change.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

• Excellent writing skills. Ability to write clearly, accurately, concisely, and professionally in grant submissions, email correspondence, and other written documentation.
• Exceptional organizational skills. Ability to manage concurrent projects and deadlines and identify priorities in a fast-paced, high-volume, results-oriented work environment.
• Strong attention to detail, particularly regarding funder specifications and deadlines.
• Strong analytical skills, including an ability to synthesize financial information and program data and communicate conclusions through writing and speaking.
• Strong interpersonal skills. Ability to work collaboratively with internal team-members, from staff to executive leadership, and serve as a positive representative of the organization to external audiences.
• Capacity to work on and complete projects independently.

Qualifications :

• Candidates must have at least one year of grant writing experience at a nonprofit
• Required : either (1) BS / BA degree or (2) GED / HS and 3-4 years of additional technical / professional or grant-writing writing experience.
• Experience with fundraising customer relationship management system software preferred.

Salary Range :

The salary range for the Grant Writer position is up to $55,000, depending on experience.

How to Apply :

Submit a cover letter and resume at : http : / / afterschoolmatters.applytojob.com / apply

EEO :

After School Matters is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, military discharge status, age, marital status, parental status, or source of income.

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